Archives for December 2006

SG: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I thought you would not want me to leave without getting one more chance to question me. But I’m sure you don’t want to hear another farewell speech. [Read more…]

Adopted by the Security Council at its 6685th meeting, on 14 December 2011

The Security Council,

Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 30 November 2011 (S/2011/746) on the United Nations operation inCyprus,

Noting that the Government of Cyprus is agreed that in view of the prevailing conditions on the island it is necessary to keep the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) beyond 15 December 2011,

Echoing the Secretary-General’s firm belief that the responsibility for finding a solution lies first and foremost with the Cypriots themselves, and reaffirming the primary role of the United Nations in assisting the parties to bring the Cyprus conflict and division of the island to a comprehensive and durable settlement,

Welcoming the progress made so far in the fully fledged negotiations, and the leaders’ joint statements including those of 23 May and 1 July 2008,

Welcoming the move towards a more intensive phase of negotiations, stressing that the status quo is unsustainable and strongly urging the leaders to increase the momentum in the negotiations, particularly on the core issues, to reach an enduring, comprehensive and just settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council resolutions,

Emphasizing the importance attached by the international community of all parties engaging fully, flexibly and constructively in the negotiations, echoing the Secretary-General’s view that a comprehensive settlement can be achieved, looking forward to decisive progress in the near future, leading up to the Secretary-General’s meeting with the leaders in January 2012, and echoing the Secretary-General’s expectation that “all internal aspects of a settlement will have been resolved by then so that we can move to a multilateral conference shortly thereafter” with the consent of the two sides,

Welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General to stimulate progress during his meeting with the two leaders on 31 October 2011, his intention to meet with the two leaders in January 2012, and noting his intention to submit to the Security Council in January 2012 an updated assessment on the state of the process,

Noting the need to advance the consideration of and discussions on military confidence building measures, calling for renewed efforts to implement all remaining confidence building measures, and for agreement on and implementation of further steps to build trust between the communities,

Reaffirming the importance of continued crossings of the Green Line by Cypriots, and encouraging the opening by mutual agreement of other crossing points,

Convinced of the many important benefits for all Cypriots that would flow from a comprehensive and durable Cyprus settlement, urging the two sides and their leaders to foster positive public rhetoric, and encouraging them clearly to explain the benefits of the settlement, as well as the need for increased flexibility and compromise in order to secure it, to both communities well in advance of any eventual referenda,

Highlighting the importance of the supporting role of the international community, and in particular that of the parties concerned in taking practical steps towards helping the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders to exploit fully the current opportunity,

Taking note of the assessment of the Secretary-General that the security situation on the island and along the Green Line remains stable, and urging all sides to avoid any action which could lead to an increase in tension, undermine the progress achieved so far, or damage the goodwill on the island,

Recalling the Secretary-General’s firm belief that the situation in the buffer zone would be improved if both sides accepted the 1989 aide memoire used by the United Nations,

Noting with regret that the sides are withholding access to the remaining minefields in the buffer zone, and that demining in Cyprus has ceased as a result, noting the continued danger posed by mines in Cyprus, and urging rapid agreement on facilitating the recommencement of demining operations and clearance of the remaining minefields,

Highlighting the importance of the activities of the Committee on Missing Persons, urging the opening up of access to all areas to allow the Committee to carry out their work, and trusting that this process will promote reconciliation between the communities,

Agreeing that active participation of civil society groups, including women’s groups, is essential to the political process and can contribute to making any future settlement sustainable, recalling that women play an important role in peace processes, welcoming all efforts to promote bicommunal contacts and events including, inter alia, on the part of all United Nations bodies on the island, and urging the two sides to promote the active engagement of civil society and the encouragement of cooperation between economic and commercial bodies and to remove all obstacles to such contacts,

Stressing the need for the Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to peacekeeping deployments,

Welcoming the intention of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping operations, including those of UNFICYP, under close review and noting the importance of contingency planning in relation to the settlement, including recommendations as appropriate for further adjustments to UNFICYP’s mandate, force levels and other resources and concept of operations, taking into account developments on the ground, and the views of the parties,

Welcoming also the continued efforts of Alexander Downer as the Secretary-General’s Special Advisor with a mandate to assist the parties in the conduct of fully-fledged negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement, and the efforts of Lisa Buttenheim as the Secretary-General’s Special Representative,

Echoing the Secretary-General’s gratitude to the Government of Cyprus and the Government of Greece for their voluntary contributions to the funding of UNFICYP, and his request for further voluntary contributions from other countries and organizations, and expressing appreciation to member states that contribute personnel to UNFICYP,

Welcoming and encouraging efforts by the United Nations to sensitize peacekeeping personnel in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases in all its peacekeeping operations,

1. Welcomes the encouraging progress made so far in the fully fledged negotiations, and the prospect of further decisive progress in the coming months towards a comprehensive and durable settlement that this has created;

2. Takes noteof the report of the Secretary-General (S/2011/498);

3. Recalls Security Council resolution 1986 (2011), and calls upon the two leaders to:

(a) intensify the momentum of negotiations, engage in the process in a constructive and open manner, and work on reaching convergences on the remaining core issues in preparation for their meeting with the Secretary-General in January 2012, and for further work in the following months towards a settlement;

(b) improve the public atmosphere in which the negotiations are proceeding, including by focussing public messages on convergences and the way ahead, and delivering more constructive and harmonised messages; and

(c) increase the participation of civil society in the process as appropriate;

4. Urges the implementation of confidence-building measures, and looks forward to agreement on and implementation of further such steps, including military confidence building measures and the opening of other crossing points;

5. Urges all parties to be more forthcoming in accommodating the Committee for Missing Persons exhumation requirements throughout the island including in military areas in the north;

6. Reaffirms all its relevant resolutions onCyprus, in particular resolution 1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions;

7. Expresses its full support for UNFICYP and decides to extend its mandate for a further period ending 19 July 2012;

8. Calls on both sides to continue to engage, as a matter of urgency and while respecting UNFICYP’s mandate, in consultations with UNFICYP on the demarcation of the buffer zone, and on the United Nations 1989 aide-memoire, with a view to reaching early agreement on outstanding issues;

9. Calls on the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkish forces to restore in Strovilia the military status quo which existed there prior to 30 June 2000;

10. Calls on both sides to allow access to deminers and to facilitate the removal of the remaining mines in Cyprus within the buffer zone, and urges both sides to extend demining operations outside the buffer zone;

11. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on implementation of this resolution, including on contingency planning in relation to the settlement, by
1 July 2012 and to keep the Security Council updated on events as necessary;

12. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNFICYP to implement the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action including the conduct of pre-deployment awareness training, and to take disciplinary action and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE UNITED NATIONS OPERATION IN CYPRUS

I. Introduction

1. The present report on the United Nations operation in Cyprus covers developments from 18 May to 27 November 2006 and brings up to date the record of activities carried out by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) pursuant to Security Council resolution 186 (1964) and subsequent Council resolutions, most recently resolution 1687 (2006).

2. As at 15 November, the strength of the military component stood at 853 all ranks and the strength of the police component stood at 60 (see annex).

II. Mission of good offices and other developments

3. On 15 June, the Security Council adopted resolution 1687 (2006), in which, inter alia, it expressed regret that the gap between words and deeds remained too great for me to resume fully my mission of good offices and urged progress towards the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive settlement.

4. Since my last report, dated 23 May 2006 (S/2006/315), my Special Representative in Cyprus, Michael Møller, has continued to engage with the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders and their representatives. His efforts have focused on assisting them to re-engage in the implementation of their agreements and undertakings aimed at the resumption of negotiations leading to a comprehensive settlement.

5. Early in July, at my request, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahim Gambari, undertook an overview mission to the region. In Turkey and Greece, he met with the respective Foreign Ministers and senior Foreign Ministry officials. In Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot leader, Tassos Papadopoulos and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat met, for the first time, just prior to Mr. Gambari’s visit, on the occasion of the installation of the third member of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus.

6. On 8 July, the Greek Cypriot leader and the Turkish Cypriot leader met in the presence of the Under-Secretary-General, where they agreed on and signed a set of principles and decisions. In the course of that meeting, I had an opportunity to talk to both of them and to encourage them to live up to the expectations of the international community. By their agreement, they recognized that the status quo was unacceptable and that a comprehensive settlement was both desirable and possible. They agreed to begin immediately a two-track process involving discussion by technical committees of issues affecting the day-to-day life of the people and, concurrently, consideration by working groups of substantive issues, both of which would contribute to a comprehensive settlement. They also committed themselves to ensuring that the right atmosphere prevailed for this process to be successful, including by ending mutual recriminations (see S/2006/572, annexes I and II).

7. On 29 August, the Security Council was briefed by the Under-Secretary-General on the outcome of his mission. Following the briefing, the President of the Security Council read a statement to the press, in which the members of the Council expressed support for my continued efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, welcomed the 8 July agreement reached during the Under-Secretary-General’s mission to the region and called for full implementation of the 8 July agreement without further delay.

8. Since then, my Special Representative has been engaged in intensive discussions with both sides aimed at implementing the 8 July agreement. On 19 September, I met with Mr. Papadopoulos in New York and discussed the Cyprus problem, including issues relating to the implementation of the 8 July agreement. In the light of the differences that emerged between the two sides regarding the implementation of the agreement, the Under-Secretary-General wrote to the two leaders on 15 November suggesting a way forward.

9. Both leaders replied on 18 November, formally accepting the Under-Secretary-General’s suggestions. The stage is therefore now set for positive forward movement, and I urge both sides to show the necessary goodwill and determination to overcome their apparent deep mutual distrust and suspicion of each other’s true motives. I also hope that a stop will be put to the so-called blame game that has been carried out relentlessly and unhelpfully by officials and the press of both sides, contravening the letter and the spirit of the 8 July agreement.

10. On 20 November, I met with Mr. Talat in Geneva. He reiterated the commitment of the Turkish Cypriot side to a comprehensive settlement under the auspices of the United Nations. I welcomed his positive response to the Under-Secretary-General’s suggestions and urged him to move forward without delay on the implementation of the 8 July agreement. Mr. Talat promised to do his utmost in that connection. He also reiterated the need to end the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. I responded that I continued to stand by my report of 28 May 2004 to the Security Council (S/2004/437), in which I indicated that the isolation of the north must be lifted.

11. Under the terms of the 8 July agreement, the two leaders have recognized that the status quo is unacceptable and that a comprehensive settlement is both desirable and possible. Their commitment to achieving such a settlement now needs to be demonstrated. I have made it clear to both of them that what is important is not a declaration of intent but action from both sides to narrow the gap between words and action and indicate to me and my successor that they are ready to resume and move ahead in earnest with talks aimed at settling the Cyprus issue. This will require compromise and political will. I encourage the two leaders to move ahead on the implementation of the 8 July agreement now that they have agreed to the suggestions put forward by the Under-Secretary-General.

12. Other efforts undertaken by the international community in the course of the reporting period include an initiative of the Finnish Presidency of the European Union which, however, was not successful. Insofar as such initiatives are acceptable to all concerned and contribute to the overall goal of a comprehensive settlement, they may have a catalytic effect and efforts in this regard should be welcomed.

13. During the reporting period, there has been a disturbing trend that impinges on the ability of organizations and individuals to carry out activities and projects designed to contribute to bi-communal contacts and cooperation throughout the island. As a result, the United Nations, in particular the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has been hampered in its ability to support and implement projects that benefit both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in areas of common concern. This is a regrettable development. Without a strong contribution from civic organizations and individuals, it is hard to imagine a genuine reconciliation in Cyprus. Their efforts need to be nurtured and obstacles to them removed.

III. Activities of the Force

A. Prevention of a recurrence of fighting and maintenance of the military status quo

14. The military and security situation along the ceasefire lines remained generally stable. Overall, the opposing forces showed cooperation and exercised restraint. The number of violations and other incidents decreased by 30 per cent from the same period in 2005, from 468 to 330. Those violations, which were mostly minor in nature, included lack of discipline, stone-throwing and verbal abuse, improvements to observation posts, filming of the buffer zone, cocking of weapons and pointing them at United Nations forces and incursions into the buffer zone. The reduction in violations and incidents could be attributed to the effectiveness of the mobile concept of operations in UNFICYP.

15. Despite the overall reduction of incidents, the mandate of UNFICYP continued to be challenged by both opposing forces. Significant violations by the National Guard included overmanning of an observation post and conducting a military exercise at platoon strength with mortars behind one of their observation posts. In addition, 82 members of the National Guard, including an armed element, attended a funeral inside the buffer zone, and 7 uniformed National Guard personnel attended a church service in the buffer zone. The Turkish Forces/Turkish Cypriot Security Forces manned the Ledra Street bridge. A Turkish Cypriot police element continued to man an unauthorized checkpoint, and the Turkish Forces continued to patrol the vicinity of the Laroujina pocket. The nearby Turkish Forces observation post is regularly overmanned despite frequent protests by UNFICYP. Attempts to restore the status quo in the area have not progressed any further. In response, UNFICYP employed standing patrols and, on occasion, reoccupied some of its static observation towers. Such operations, which call for large numbers of personnel, are sustainable in the short term with the current force and confirm the requirement to maintain flexibility and the existing force levels for the foreseeable future.

16. As in 2005, the National Guard held its annual military exercise, “Nikiforos”, from 10 to 15 October with the participation of the General Staffs from Greece. The Turkish Forces/Turkish Cypriot Security Forces held their military exercise, “Toros II”, from 7 to 9 November. I should like to reiterate my appeal to both sides to refrain from holding those exercises.

17. The violation by the Turkish Forces of the military status quo in Strovilia persisted, with an increased number of soldiers manning that position. There has been no change in control by Turkish Forces over limited access of UNFICYP to and freedom of its movement within the fenced area of Varosha. The United Nations continues to hold the Government of Turkey responsible for the status quo in Varosha.

18. The impasse continued over the dismantling of a National Guard observation post in the vicinity of Dherinia and of a corresponding construction by the Turkish Forces referred to in my report of May 2006 (S/2006/315, para. 11). The National Guard informed UNFICYP it would dismantle its position provided that work began simultaneously to remove the position that the Turkish Forces had constructed in response. The Turkish Forces stated in turn that they would remove their position once the dismantling of the National Guard position had been completed. The issue is the subject of ongoing discussions between UNFICYP and the opposing forces.

19. The efforts of UNFICYP to achieve demilitarization of the ceasefire lines have stalled. In June, UNFICYP invited the National Guard and the Turkish Forces/Turkish Cypriot Security Forces to submit proposals for unmanning/deconfrontation measures. Throughout the summer, the opposing forces expressed support for the suggestion of UNFICYP and agreed to submit a list of deconfrontation measures, but so far no proposals have been received. UNFICYP will continue its efforts on that issue.

20. At the onset of the crisis in Lebanon, UNFICYP assisted in moving United Nations personnel and their dependants from Lebanon and supported United Nations humanitarian and other activities in the region. In total, the evacuation operations brought nearly 2,000 people to Cyprus. UNFICYP initially dispatched 30 days worth of supplies to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and coordinated the regular resupply of fuel, water and medical supplies. A rear headquarters and additional aviation resources for UNIFIL were located in the United Nations Protected Area in Nicosia. Helicopter operations to Lebanon were mounted from Nicosia throughout August and continued from Larnaca until early October. Office facilities and secure storage facilities were provided to personnel of the International Independent Investigation Commission (established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1595 (2005)), which relocated to Cyprus.

B. Demining activity in the buffer zone

21. The Mine Action Centre has to date cleared 1,617,462 square metres of land and disposed of 2,364 landmines from the buffer zone since the start of the programme in November 2004. During the reporting period 12 of the 13 Turkish Forces minefields were cleared, and it is expected that the last will be completed by the end of November 2006. The Mine Action Project has been supported by funds from the European Union.

22. Since February, UNFICYP had been conducting negotiations with the Turkish Forces/Turkish Cypriot Security Forces to allow for the clearance of additional minefields. In August 2006, both Forces made a commitment in writing to enter into negotiations to extend existing demining guidelines to include all remaining minefields in the buffer zone laid by the Turkish Forces. Discussions to make progress on this important issue continued between UNFICYP and the Turkish Forces/Turkish Cypriot Security Forces.

C. Restoration of normal conditions and humanitarian functions

23. UNFICYP continued to work with its United Nations partners and local actors to facilitate projects of common benefit for Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots in and outside the buffer zone and to promote confidence-building measures between them.

24. Cypriots on both sides of the buffer zone continued to use the crossing points for various activities, including trade, religious and bi-communal events, without major incidents. UNFICYP has recorded approximately 12 million crossings since the opening of the crossing points in April 2003. That figure does not include crossings in Pergamos since 1 September, when the Turkish Cypriot side discontinued sharing statistics on the movement of people at that crossing. UNFICYP is following up this matter with the Turkish Cypriot authorities. Goods worth approximately £C 958,000 (about $2 million) crossed the Green Line from the north to the south of the buffer zone, and goods worth approximately £C 358,000 (about $700,000) crossed from south to north. Although there has been a relatively steady flow of persons and goods since the opening of the crossing points and the entry into force of the Green Line Regulation, the potential of those interactions and trade among the people as a catalytic element towards the reunification of the island has yet to be seized.

25. Since the amendment of the Green Line Regulation in August 2005 to include the provision of three additional crossing points, agreement has not been reached on the modalities of opening them. Consultations regarding the opening of the Ledra Street crossing point in Nicosia remain pending.

26. UNFICYP facilitated 10 bi-communal events with the participation of approximately 500 people from both sides. Those events were held in the buffer zone, at the Ledra Palace Hotel, which continues to be viewed by both sides as an essential, neutral venue for hosting bi-communal activities. It is noteworthy that since the opening of the crossing points in 2003, there has been a decrease in the number of events at the Ledra Palace as other venues have become available. Regular monthly meetings between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political party leaders continued to be held at the Ledra Palace Hotel under the auspices of the Embassy of Slovakia.

27. UNFICYP continued its discussions with the Greek Cypriot side, initiated in March 2005, regarding the establishment of a Turkish language primary school in Limassol, which is not yet operational. At their request, UNFICYP met with the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union on that subject and other issues related to the education of Turkish Cypriot schoolchildren in the south, including curricula and textbooks. The formal proceedings of the lawsuit filed by the Turkish Cypriot Teachers’ Trade Union with the Supreme Court to guarantee Turkish Cypriots the right to an education in their mother tongue, mentioned in my previous report (S/2006/315, para. 20), began on 5 May and have been adjourned several times, most recently on 10 November. A new trial date has been set for 6 February 2007. UNFICYP continued to follow up developments on that issue with the Greek Cypriot side, pending the outcome of the judicial proceedings. UNFICYP facilitated the assignment of four additional teachers for the Greek Cypriot secondary school in Rizokarpaso in the north for the school year beginning in September 2006.

28. During the reporting period, UNFICYP conducted 62 humanitarian convoys and humanitarian visits in support of the 389 Greek Cypriots and 145 Maronites living in the north. UNFICYP continued to assist Turkish Cypriots living in the south in obtaining identity documents, housing, welfare services, medical care, employment and education. UNFICYP also assisted in arranging six visits by Greek Cypriots and Maronites and a commemorative event by Turkish Cypriots inside and outside the buffer zone. On 10 and 11 June, in the northern part of the island, 800 Greek Cypriots attended services at Saint Barnabas Church near Famagusta, and on 23 July, for the first time since 1974, 300 Maronites visited the Prophet Elias Monastery in the village of Saint Marina. On 1 and 2 September, 900 Greek Cypriots attended the annual religious services at Saint Mamas Church in Morphou. On 8 August, 429 Turkish Cypriots travelled for an annual visit to Kokkina in the western part of the island. In the buffer zone, 773 Greek Cypriots visited Saint Marina Church in Dherynia on 17 July, and approximately 70 Greek Cypriots attended services at Ayios Neophytos Church in Troulli on 27 September.

29. Since the lifting in 2003 of the restrictions on movement across the ceasefire lines, there has been an increasing number of civilians farming and/or an increase in the construction of buildings in the buffer zone, which is in contravention of the procedures established by UNFICYP to safeguard the stability of and security within the buffer zone. A significant part of the resources and energy of UNFICYP operations are currently geared towards addressing that development. Continuing challenges in the buffer zone have the potential to destabilize a still delicate security situation.

30. During the reporting period, UNFICYP authorized 13 civilian construction projects in the buffer zone, including 2 by a Turkish Cypriot family on the Pyla plateau, and the sinking of a well to supply water to both communities in the villages of Astromeritis/Bostanci and Peristerona/Cengizkoy. UNFICYP also engaged both sides in an anti-dumping campaign in conjunction with local authorities and UNDP in response to an increase in the number of illegal waste dumping sites in the buffer zone. However, the trend described in my previous report (S/2006/315) of construction of unauthorized buildings for personal and commercial use and the utilization of land outside the areas designated for civilian use in the buffer zone continued.

31. Of particular note during the reporting period have been farming activities, mainly in the area around Nicosia, by farmers wishing to cultivate land beyond the farming security line established by UNFICYP to prevent tension arising from such activities in the buffer zone. On 3 and 11 October, tension rose as result of disputes on farming and land ownership involving Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot farmers in the buffer zone in the area of Kaimakli, north-east of Nicosia. In response to media reports that Greek Cypriot farmers intended to work beyond the farming security line, the Turkish Forces/Turkish Cypriot Security Forces overmanned their nearest position in the area. The situation was further aggravated when Greek Cypriot farmers entered the buffer zone and demanded access to the north of the farming security line. After intensive discussions held by UNFICYP with both sides, the situation was defused. Two press statements warning farmers against crossing the farming security line were issued by UNFICYP on 4 and 10 October. On 26 November, Turkish Cypriot farmers in the area of Avlona/Gayretkoy entered the buffer zone without authorization from UNFICYP to cultivate land owned by Greek Cypriots without their permission. When UNFICYP police and military personnel requested them to cease their activities and leave the area until permits were obtained, the farmers attacked the United Nations patrol, damaging six vehicles. UNFICYP strongly protested the incident. In the light of those incidents, UNFICYP tightened its procedures for issuing farming permits in order to safeguard property rights and maintain security in both areas.

32. UNFICYP continued liaising with the two sides, in particular on law enforcement and issues related to crossings. Ten medical evacuations were facilitated from the north, and the remains of four Greek Cypriots were returned for burial in their villages in the northern part of the island. Prison visits and interviews with inmates and relevant officials of detention facilities continued. There are currently 22 Turkish Cypriots detained in the south and 1 Greek Cypriot under custody in the north.

33. During the reporting period, UNFICYP facilitated the exchange of information on criminal matters between the two communities. UNFICYP established closer cooperation with the communities and local municipalities, which has generated a better flow of information and improved the handling of criminal and domestic matters. On two occasions, UNFICYP facilitated the handing over of persons wanted for serious crimes from one side to the other and also enabled a Turkish Cypriot man to provide testimony in a case being investigated in the south. Nevertheless, there is a pressing need to deal with a growing phenomenon of unpunished crimes, some serious, that result from the lack of cooperation between law enforcement agencies on both sides. A rising trend of criminal activity in the buffer zone, in particular human trafficking activities, continue to be reported by both sides. According to information provided by the two sides, fewer persons have been crossing the buffer zone as illegal immigrants, while the number of arrests for human trafficking has increased.

34. A serious incident occurred on 22 November at a private English language school in Nicosia, in which a group of Turkish Cypriot students attending the school were attacked by a group of Greek Cypriot students from outside the school, reportedly wearing partial face masks. A number of the Turkish Cypriot students were injured in the attack. Three persons have been taken into custody over the incident so far, and the Cyprus police are continuing their investigation. The incident was strongly condemned by President Papadopoulous and other leading authorities on both sides of the divide.

35. UNFICYP continued to liaise with both sides on the preservation and restoration of cultural and religious sites on the island. UNFICYP was requested by both communities to facilitate the resolution of issues regarding the desecration and deterioration of sites with cultural and religious significance.

36. UNFICYP continued to coordinate gender-related activities on the island. UNFICYP facilitated separate meetings of the bi-communal Cypriot Women’s Policy Group, which consists of three high-level women representatives from each of the sides, and the bi-communal Anti-Trafficking Group to discuss and address gender issues in Cyprus.

IV. Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus

37. In July, the new member of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus Christophe Girod, officially took up his duties on the island. Following the Committee meeting of 3 July, which was attended by the leaders of both communities, favourable political will has been demonstrated by all concerned with regard to the issue of missing persons in Cyprus.

38. The Committee launched its project on the exhumation, identification and return of the remains of missing persons late in August. Intrinsic to the project is its bi-communal structure. Supported by a small team of international experts, both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientists are participating in exhumations and the identification process in the Committee’s anthropological laboratory located in the United Nations Protected Area in Nicosia. The final DNA identification phase, due to begin before the end of the year, will be carried out at a local forensic laboratory by another bi-communal team of scientists.

39. The project is currently financed by voluntary contributions from Cypriot and other sources, including Member States. The Committee is continuing its fund-raising efforts.

V. Financial and administrative aspects

40. The General Assembly, by its resolution 60/270 of 30 June 2006, appropriated for the maintenance of UNFICYP for the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 the amount of $44.8 million gross ($43.0 million net). In this regard, I am grateful for the voluntary contribution of one third of the cost of the Force, equivalent to $14.9 million, by the Government of Cyprus, and the voluntary contribution of $6.5 million by the Government of Greece. Other countries and organizations might wish to do likewise, with a view to reducing the portion of the cost of UNFICYP covered by assessed contributions.

41. Should the Security Council decide to extend the mandate of UNFICYP for a further period of six months, the cost of maintaining the Force would be limited to the amount approved by the General Assembly.

42. As at 30 September 2006, the total outstanding assessed contributions to the special account for UNFICYP for the period from 16 June 1993 to 15 December 2006 amounted to $23.5 million. The total outstanding assessed contributions for all peacekeeping operations as at the same date amounted to $2,080.2 million.

43. As at 31 October 2006, amounts owed to troop contributors totalled $6.2 million. As a result of the delay in the receipt of assessed contributions, reimbursement of troop and contingent-owned equipment costs has been made only for the period up to 30 April 2006 and 31 March 2006, respectively.

44. I am concerned at the slow pace of the refurbishment of the troop accommodation at the Ledra Palace Hotel and Camp San Martin, and in this connection I wish to stress the urgency and importance of speeding up the required repairs in the interest of the health and safety of the mission’s troops.

VI. Observations

45. During the reporting period, the situation in Cyprus remained calm and stable with no major violations of the ceasefire lines. Although both opposing forces continued to challenge the existing delineation of the ceasefire lines, the overall cooperation with UNFICYP resulted in a lack of any serious incidents in the buffer zone. I continue to believe that full acceptance by the opposing forces of the 1989 aide-memoire of the United Nations concerning activities in the buffer zone would further improve the situation, and I call on the sides to consider this without delay. In the same spirit, I would encourage a reflection on the various military and other confidence-building measures that have been proposed over the past 18 years, including the withdrawal of troops from the ceasefire lines.

46. In the absence of a comprehensive settlement, the presence of UNFICYP remains necessary in maintaining the ceasefire. In this context, I am concerned about the increasing pressure from the civilian population, particularly the Greek Cypriots, to undertake and expand construction projects in the buffer zone, a trend that could undermine security conditions. I must stress that civilian activities in the area between the ceasefire lines, including farming, cannot take place at the expense of stability and security, for which UNFICYP is responsible. At the same time, the trend towards increased construction on the Turkish Cypriot side is a cause of concern, as it may undermine the achievement of a comprehensive settlement.

47. The steady progress in the clearing of minefields located in the buffer zone is a welcome development. More than 50 per cent of mines have been cleared and destroyed, while the rest should be removed within two years. The success of this operation is due to the good cooperation of the opposing forces with the United Nations and the generous funding from the European Union.

48. Significant progress has been achieved during the reporting period on the issue of missing persons. With the assistance of the new third member of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus, both sides have managed to advance in the exhumation and identification process in the newly established anthropological laboratory. This is an example of a commendable effort by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientists, with the support of international donors. I applaud both sides for their constructive approach to this humanitarian issue and urge them to make progress in the same spirit in other areas of common interest.

49. I must express my concern at the continuing implementation — and in some cases strengthening — of policies that are against the spirit and the letter of the 8 July agreement, by which both sides made a commitment to ensure that the right atmosphere prevails on the island. I also note with concern the criticism and hampering of the United Nations, and particularly of UNDP activities intended to reduce the socio-economic disparities between the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities. The obstruction of development and bi-communal activities undermines and marginalizes segments of society and makes it difficult for groups and individuals to contribute to the peace process and the building of trust across divisions. The nurturing of a culture of prejudice and the ensuing lack of trust hampers any constructive efforts towards reaching a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

50. Having dealt with the Cyprus issue for 10 years, I cannot but regret the continued stalemate in the political process and the missed opportunities. Despite a decade of almost continuous efforts by the United Nations, an agreement on a comprehensive settlement has not proved possible.

51. At this juncture, it is important, as indicated by the Security Council, that the implementation of the 8 July agreement begin without further delay. The process should lead to a resumption of full-fledged political talks within the framework of the mission of good offices. In this connection, it should be noted that only if progress is achieved will my successor or I be in a position to appoint a special adviser on Cyprus.

52. The continued active involvement of the international community in Cyprus, through the presence of UNFICYP, should not be taken for granted. In this context, both leaders may wish to refocus and redouble their efforts. It should be emphasized, as indicated in my report of May 2004, that the responsibility lies primarily with the Cypriots themselves. The United Nations remains committed to lending a helping hand, but it is no substitute for genuine political will on the part of all concerned to reach a comprehensive settlement.

53. In the absence of a comprehensive settlement, I believe that UNFICYP continues to play a vital role, and I therefore recommend that the Security Council extend the mandate of the Force by a further period of six months, until 15 June 2007.

54. In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to my Special Representative and Chief of Mission, Michael Møller, the Force Commander, Major General Rafael Barni, and the men and women serving in UNFICYP, for the efficiency and dedication with which they have discharged the responsibilities entrusted to them by the Security Council.

Annex

Countries providing military and civilian police personnel as at 15 November 2006

Country

Military personnel

Argentinaa

295

Austria

4

Canada

1

Hungary

84

Slovakiab

200

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

269

Total

853

United Nations police

Argentina

4

Australia

15

Croatia

1

El Salvador

7

India

5

Italy

4

Ireland

18

Netherlands

6

Total

60

a The Argentine contingent includes soldiers from Chile (15), Paraguay (14) and Peru (14).